How to Hide a Pill in Cat Food

by Chris Miksen

Use a rare food treat to overcome Kitty's suspicion of medications.

While pills can help your cat overcome a medical condition, your kitty sees them as odd-smelling and bad-tasting anti-treats. If you conceal the pill in tasty food that she rarely gets an opportunity to eat, it's possible she'll never realize a mere human has outsmarted her.

Find out what type of food your cat really enjoys and will quickly scarf down. The more eager your kitty is to eat a certain food, the less likely she is to realize a pill is lurking inside. Even if you assume she'll like something such as tuna, always give her an initial bite. Cats are sometimes finicky and curious with new food, and may bat it around or take small, cautious bites at first, which can reveal the pill.

Prepare the tasty treat away from your kitty's view. If she sees you messing with her food -- or worse, sees the pill fitting into it -- she may be more inclined to inspect it critically before taking a bite.

Sneak the pill into a ball-sized portion of food slightly larger than the pill. You want to fully hide the pill, but hiding it in half of a can of tuna isn't a good idea. With large portions, she's more likely to leave the food for later or eat around the pill, accidentally revealing it.

Give Kitty the special treat before she gets her regular meal. If she has already eaten, she'll be too full to wolf down the treat.

Hide the pill in a pill-pocket treat. Pill pockets are treats with a built-in space for a pill. If your cat is a slow eater and takes small bites, it's sometimes impossible to sneak the pill past her even in small portions. Most cats will eat a pill pocket without taking multiple bites. Most pet stores and veterinary offices sell pill pockets.

Items you will need

Wet treat or food

Pill pocket

Tips

Only wet food or pill pocket treats can effectively hide pills. Dry food does not work.

Do not crush the pill in an attempt to hide it more effectively in your cat's food unless your vet tells you to do so. Crushing some pills can reduce or nullify their effects.

Some pills must be given to your pet on an empty stomach. Always follow your vet's instructions carefully.

Warning

Only give your cat pills prescribed for her by your vet. Cats are extremely sensitive to many types of medications.